The mild – if stormy – winter has prompted signs of early spring across the UK, with snowdrops and daffodils flowering to unseasonal sightings of ladybirds and butterflies. Adam Vaughan reports:

The Woodland Trust's network of nature watchers recorded snowdrops appearing as early as December, and have spotted budburst on elder bushes, plus butterflies including Brimstones, Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells. Naturalists said the number of hazel catkins out was particularly unusual, though the number of insects sighted has been relatively low despite the mild temperatures.

GuardianWitness is the home of user-generated content on the Guardian. Contribute your video, pictures and stories, and browse news, reviews and creations submitted by others. Posts will be reviewed prior to publication on GuardianWitness, and the best pieces will feature on the Guardian site.